Flame baffle partition



May 26, 1931. R. J. ANscHlcKs FLAIE BAFFLE PARTITION Filed July 29, 1929 2 Sheets-511901. l

/lLZz May 26, 1931- R. J. ANscHlcKs 1,805,602

a FLAIE BAFFLE PARTITION Filed July 29. 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May 26, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RUDOLPH J'. ANSCHICKS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PROTECTOSEAL COM- PANY OF AMERICA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS FLAME BAFFLE PARTITION Application led July 29, 1929. Serial No. 381,979.

My invention relates to fire baffles and more particularly it relates to flame baflle partitions suitable for installation in mines to check the spread of fire in the event of an explosion.

As is generally known, lires and explosions in mines are frequently due to fine dust particles which settle on the rock ridges throughout the mine. An explosive ignition {,roduces a pressure Wave which throws these small particles of dust off of' the mine walls in sufticient quantities to feed a fire and permit it to spread through the mine. Such pressure waves develop rapidly in the mine tunnels and travel about 300 feet ahead of the advancing flame. Both the pressure wave and the following flames travel approximately at a rate of 8O to 100 feet per second.

A fluid tight partition of ordinary construction is ineffective to localize the combustion since the force of the explosion in a confined space will demolish the partition and the principal object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the class described constructed entirely of non-combustible and heat resisting material which will localize the combustion and permit the concussive forces to be dissipated through the partition without damage to the same and also provide a baille which permits the burning gases to pass through the partition and to make certain that the flames be extinguished while the gases are moving theretln'ough. The gases in passing through the partition become cooled by contact with partition material and the flames are thereby extinguished.

These results are accomplished by providing one or more partitions within the mine tunnels, each partition having a trap door or portcullis operable to be held in open position in a space formed in the roof wall of the tunnel. The pressure wave in its advance from either direction operates a trip device which permits the door to drop and thereby closes the tunnel to the passage of flames in the interval between the passing of the advance pressure wave and the arrival of the burning gases. The construction of the door is such that after it closes, the pressure occasioned by the advancing gases is dissipated through the door itself and through the casement which together with the door comprises the partition. As a result, the flames from the burning gases following in the wake of the advanced pressure wave are quenched as rapidly as the gases pass through the closed partition. The door and Casement, for this purpose, are constructed of spaced apart plates, the spacings between the plates being very narrow but sufficiently wide to permit gases under pressure to pass through without destroying or opening up a passageway for flames through the partition. While the door is closed, all gases that pass through the partition are sufficiently cooled by contact with the spaced apart plates forming the major portion of the partition as to extinguish the llames. The door and easement thereby act as a fire baffle, confining the combustion to one side of the partition.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a partition operable to cheek and partially dissipate pressure waves in mine tunnels and to completely seal the tunnel against the passage of flames following an explosion on either side of the partition.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character described which is safe, simple, compact, durable, eliicient, and satisfactory for use wherever found applicable.

Other further and more particular objects and advantages of the construction herein described and shown, will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a mine tunnel a partition comprising a door CFS and a easement with the door in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3 3 otl Fig. 1, drawn to a larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 1e-4 of Fig. 1, drawn to a larger scale; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus operable to automatically close the partition door.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral designates a slope or mine tunnel, bounded by rock or other material forming side walls 11, a top wall 12, and a floor 13.

The tunnel 10 is closed by a partition comprising oppositely positioned L-shaped casements 1-1 and a vertically sliding door or portcullis 27 positioned between the casements. All ot the material used in constructing the partition is non-combustible. The door 27 is shown in closed position in Fig. l and is opened by being raised vertically to occupy a recess 16 provided tor that purpose in the top wall 12 forming the root of the tunnel 10. The door 27 is suspended from a sheave or pulley 24 by a rope or cable 25. A counter weight 2G is suspended from the opposite end of the cable to make elevation of the door easy. The door 27 is supported in its open position by a trip appara-tus. Removal ot the trip apparatus from supporting?,T contact with the door 27 permits the door t0 drop to closed position, since the counter weight 26 is constructed so ato be substantially lighter than the door.

The door 27 comprises a plurality of thin plates of non-combustible material 22, suitably mounted in a channel traine 28. The plates are arranged in spaced apart relation, adjoining plates being separated by relatively narrow spaces 23. The plates are held in their spaced apart relation by any convenient spacer construction and are fastened at their ends to the frame 23. The plates 22 are wide enough that burning gases passing therebetween will be sutilciently cooled to extinguish the tiames.

A pair of posts 17 and 19, having oppositely positioned plates 18 mounted on each side thereof, provide a guide or runway for the door 27 as it is raised or lowered. The posts 17 and 19 are positioned at some distance from the side walls 11. An L-shaped easement 14 connects each ot' the posts 1'7 and 19 with its adjacent wall 11. The easement 14. which connects the post 17 with its adjacent wall 11, is positioned on one side ot the post. The other easement 14 connects the post 19 with its adjacent wall 11.

Each of the easements 14. comprises a transverse member 15 closely fitting the mine wall 11. The members 15 are preferably parallel with the door 27. The spaces bethe line tween the members 15 and the posts 17 and 19 are closed by a plurality of thin plates or strips of non-combustible material 20, spaced apart similarly to the plates 22 to form apertures or spaces 21. The plates 2t) extend transversely of the tunnel while the plates 22 extend longitudinally thereof. It is obvious that when the partition is closed, gases traveling in either direction will pass through the spaces 23 in the door 27 and also through the transverse spaces 21 in the casements 14. As already pointed out, the spaces 21 and 23, between the plates 20 and 22, respectively, are sufficiently large to permit partial dissipation ot the concussive force of an advancing pressure wave. The door 27 and easements 14 are of sufficient strength to withstand the shock, caused by the partially dissipated pressure waves. The width of the plates 2() and 22 is suflicient to cool the burning gases following the pressure wave, and thereby confine the combustion to the side of the partition from which the pressure wave came.

The door 27 is normally positioned in the space 1G in the roof of the tunnel so as to permit unobstructed tratlic through the tunnel.

In order that the apparatus function properly, it necessary that the door 27 be instantly lowered following an eXplosion. This requires that means be provided which will automatically operate to permit the door to drop to its closed position in the interval between the passing of the advance pressure wave following an eXplosion and the arrival of the burning gases.

The door 27 is supported in its elevated position by trip apparatus generally designated by the numeral 45. The apparatus 15 comprises a plurality ot' hook members 37, rigidly fastened to a pivotally mounted rod 33. The rod 38 is journaled at cach end in bearings 4G mounted on the posts 17 and 19. The lower projecting ends ot the members 37 engage the lower channel frame 28 ot the door 27 and support the door when it is in its elevated position, as shown in Fig. 3. It is obvious that a slight rotation ot the rod 38 will move the hook members 37 sutliciently to release the door 27 and permit the door by reason ot its weight to drop to closed position. Provision is made for instantaneous rotation of the rod 38 a sufficient amount to release the door 27 following an explosion. For this purpose a double two-way bellows having end portions 30a and 305 is mounted on one of the transverse members 15, so that the end 30a of the bellows is on one side of the partition and the end 302) is on the otaer side ot the partition. The bellows 30 is constructed of any suitable non-combustible material which remains unimpaired bv exposure to flames and high temperatures.

Each end of the bellows 30 is operatively connected with the rod 38 by a system of levers and connecting rods so that collapse of either end of the bellows will rotate the rod 38 sufficiently to permit the door 27 to fall.

A stein 34 mounted on the end 30a of the bellows, is pivotally connected to a rod 39. The rod 39 is pivotally mounted, near its mid portion, on a member 40 projecting from the adjacent member 15. A lever 42 is fixedly mounted on the rod 38 and pivotally connected with the rod 39 by means of a longitudinally movable rod 41. A pressure wave on the side of the partition on which the end 30a of the bellows is located, will cause that portion of the bellows to contract. Contraction of the end 30a moves the rod 41 to actuate the lever 42 and thereby rotates the rod 38 suiiiciently to release the door 27 and permit it to drop to closed position. Similarly a pressure wave traveling towards the partition on the opposite side thereof, will cause a collapse or contraction of the end 30?) of the bellows.

Contraction of the end 30?) also actuatcs the lever 42 and rotates the rod 38 to release the suspended door 27. For this purpose the end 30?) of the bellows has a stem 33 pivotally connected with one end of a transversely extending bar or rod 35. The rod 35 is pivotally mounted near its mid portion upon a member 31 projecting from the post 19. The other end of the rod 35 is pivotally connected with a bell crank lever 36. The lever 36 is supported by and pivotally mounted on one end of a bar 44. The bar 44 projects between the plates 20 forming a part of the adjacent easement 14 and is supported by the easement by any suitable means (not shown). A bell crank lever 43 is pivotally mounted on the other end of the bar 44.

The bell crank levers 36 and 43 are pivotally connected by a bar 47 which extends through the easement 14. The outer end of the bell crank lever 43 is provided with a slot 48 which engages a pin 49 mounted on the rod 41. It is obvious that contraction of the end 30?) of the bellows operates the rod 35, levers 36 and 43, and the rod 37 to move the rod 41 away from the door 27 by reason of the bearing contact of the pin 49 with the end of the slot 40. Such movement of the rod 41 actuates the lever 42 and removes the hook members 37 from supporting contact With the door. The other end ot the rod 41 has a pin 50 positioned in a slot 51 formed in the end of the member 39. The slotted connections of the rod 41 with the lever 43 and the rod 39 permits the rod 41 to be separately actuated by either bellows 30ay or 30?) without in any way affecting the other end of the bellows 30. The

vbellows 30 thereby operates to release the door 27 when an explosion occurs on either side of the partition.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In mine equipment a flame. and explosive proof partition comprising a plurality of strips of non-combustible material mounted in close spaced apart relation in a frame of non-combustible material, said partition having an opening therethrough, a door for said opening and mechanism operable to hold said door in open position, said mechanism being actuated by the concussive force of air pressure waves, to cause said door to close the opening.

2. In mine equipment a iame and explosive proef partition of non-combustible material comprising a plurality of strips mounted in close spaced apart relation in a frame, said partition having an opening therethrough, a door for said opening and mechanism operable to hold the door suspended above the opening, said mechanism being movable by air pressure waves to cause said door to close said opening.

3. In apparatus of the kind described, a partition operable to close a passageway, said partition comprising a easement and a door of non-combustible material, said door and easement comprising a plurality of strips arranged in closely spaced apart relation.

4. In apparatus of the kind described, a partition operable to close a passageway. said partition comprising a easement and a door of non-combustible material, said door comprising a plurality of strips arranged in closely spaced apart relation, means for suspending the door above the partition and mechanism operable to release the door from its suspended position, upon contact ot' an air pressure wave with said partition.

5. In apparatus of the kind described, a partition operable to close a passageway` said partition comprising a easement and door of non-combustible material, said door and easement comprising a plurality of strips of material arranged in closely spaced apart relation, means for suspending the door above the passageway and mechanism operable to release the door from its suspended position upon contact of an air pressure wave With one said the the partition.

6. In apparatus of the kind described, a partition operable to close a passageway,

said partition comprising a easement and a door of non-combustible material, said door and Casement comprising a plurality of strips of material arranged in closely spaced apart relation, means for suspending the door above the passageway and mechanism operable to release the door from its suspended position upon contact of air pressure waves with said partition thereby permitting the door to fall by gravity to its closed position.

7. In apparatus of the kind described, a partition operable to close a passageway, said partition comprising a Casement and a door of non-combustible material, said door and Casement comprising a plurality of strips of material arranged in closely spaced apart relation, means for suspending the door above the passageway and mechanism operable to release the door from its suspended position upon Contact of air pressure wave, with the partition thereby permitting the door to fall by gravity to its closed position, said partition closely fitting the walls of passageway and being entirely closed to the passage of air except through the spaces between said strips when said door is closed.

8. In apparatus of the kind described, a partition of non-combustible material operable to close a passageway, said partition comprising a Casement and a door, said door comprising a plurality of strips of material arranged in closely spaced apart relation, means for supporting the door above the passageway, a bellows mounted on said partition, and mechanism connecting said door supporting means with said bellows whereby contraction of the bellows releases said door supporting means and permits the door to drop to its closed position.

9. In apparatus of the kind described, a partition of non-combustible material operable to close a passageway, said partition comprising 'a easement and a door, said door comprising a plurality of strips of material arranged in closely spaced apart relation, means operable to suspend the door above the passageway, a bellows mounted in and having its ends oppositely projecting through the partition, each end ot' said bellows being operable to contract under pressure independently of the other end, and means separably operatively connecting the ends ot' the bellows with said door supporting means whereby contraction of either end of said bellows releases said door supporting means and permits the door to drop to its closed position.

10. In mine equipment a flame and eX- plosive proof partition of non-combustible material having a plurality of apertures therethrough, the dimensions of said apertures being such as to extinguish burning gases passing therethrough, adoor in said partition, and mechanism operable to hol-d said door in open position, said' mechanism being actuated by the concussive force of air pressure waves to close the door.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of July A. D., 1929.

RUDOLPH J. ANSCHICKS.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,806,602. Granted May 26, l931, to

RUDOLPH J. ANSCHICKS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 127, claim 5, for the words "said the" rcad side of; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, A. D. l93l.

Wm. A. Kinnan, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

